The party will run from 7:30 – 9:30 pm, EST, on facebook. To RSVP and participate, simply click here or on the banner at the top of this blog. That’s all you have to do! I’ll be posting exclusive excerpts from Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, talking about my inspiration for the book, and doing giveaways all evening.

The World of Romance Authors – Who Influenced Me to Write and Who keeps Me Sane

Hi Vanessa! Thanks for letting me visit with you today, all the way from New Zealand. Please bear with me for the time differences. I might be a little behind you!

The most common question I get asked is how I come up with my story ideas, followed closely by what motivates me. I really don’t have any problem finding ideas for stories. Sometimes, if you’re like me, Vanessa, you live most of your life with characters in your head. It’s crowded with loads of different characters all screaming to be heard. Sometimes it’s hard to order the characters’ traits, fears, and the conflicts they find themselves in.

Sometimes the answer to ‘where do I get my stories from’ leads to a discussion about what’s happening in the world around me. I often hear some lyrics, or watch a movie, world events, or something that happened to friends in real life triggers something in my head. I think about what would be different about this in the Regency era—and voila a story idea germinates.

However, these sources of inspiration help me with stories ideas. So what inspired me to write in the first place and what keeps me writing?

Well, it has to be other authors! It’s my love of reading romance that sparked the desire to write it. Especially historical romance, but really I read across all genres.

I remember crying, and laughing and smiling after reading aPenny Jordan book; I decided on the spot that was what I wanted to do. I didn’t really know how to start so I joined RWNZ and RWA and began to learn.

Now that I’m a published author, I still find inspiration through other authors. Reading a great book still sends me straight to my computer to write my own stories. Also being able to dive into other author’s characters gives my head a well needed rest.

I love that we all have different voices and different strengths in our writing. I’m constantly learning from other authors, how to be a better writer.

Even if you’re not a writer, you likely have a list of authors who continually awe you when you read their books. Who are your favorites that you would passionately recommend to any fellow romance reader?

One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, INVITATION TO SCANDAL (open internationally)!

PLUS: Find out how to win theINVITATION TO ROMANCE Book Tour Grand Prize of a $200 Gift Card from Amazon or B&N PLUS 30+ ‘signed by the author’ romance novels by visiting www.bronwenevans.com

There will be a one WORD hidden in each blog post [WHO] in brackets (the word ‘WHO’ is the first clue from Shana Galen’spost on 26th April). There are 30 words altogether. These words will spell a paragraph related to my May release INVITATION TO SCANDAL.

Zounds! Vanessa, here. Bronwen, what a great contest! Readers, be sure to check out Bronwen’s website. And don’t forget to answer her question in today’s blog for a chance to win a copy of AN INVITATION TO SCANDAL.

I’m pleased as punch to be taking part in one of the biggest blog events of 2011 – author Monica Burns’ Pleasure Me With Romance contest and blogging extravaganza. Starting today and running until March 1st – the release date of her book, Pleasure Me– Monica will be hosting an incredible array of authors like Jayne Ann Krentz, Julianne MacLean, and Madeline Hunter. Monica is also running a fantastic contest to celebrate her upcoming release. The winner will received a deluxe spa basket, packed with oddles of cool stuff. There will also be daily giveaways, so you don’t want to miss this!